FLORA AND THALIA. 177 



THE PURPOSE OF FLOWERS. 



Beautiful flowers, whose tender forms 

 Survive the deadly lightning's glare, 



And bend your bosoms to the storms 

 That ride upon the midnight air! 



Say, were ye only born to fade ; 



0.r were your tints and odours given 

 To give the spirit in the shade 



Of this dull world some glimpse of heaven? 



W. MARTIX. 



COWSLIP AND ROSE. 



The cowslip smiles in brighter yellow drest, 

 Than that which veils the nubile virgin's breast ; 

 A fairer red stands blushing in the rose. 

 Than that which on the bridegroom's vestments flows. 



PBIOR. 



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